Medical Tourism Packages

What Types of Services Can You Expect?

There are several tiers of service when it comes to medical tourism companies, with each level adding a little extra to the total bill.  Some medical tourism operators offer a la carte services (allowing you to pick and choose), while others provide comprehensive packages.   

Although medical tourism companies can often help you find cheaper flights, better hotels, and more qualified doctors, the added cost for their services can add an additional 10%-50% to the total bill (this is why many prefer to plan vacations on their own).   

Below is a list of some of the more popular services that many medical tourism companies offer: 

Insurance

This can either include health insurance, travel insurance, or both.  The insurance might cover anything from lost luggage and cancelled flights to recovery stays and malpractice suits.  Read the fine print; including any terms or conditions that might conflict with pre-existing insurance policies. 

Legal Liability

Some medical tourism companies will accept full or partial legal responsibility for every aspect of your health vacation.  If someone goes wrong, you won’t necessarily have to chase after the hospital, doctor, airline, hotel staff, and any other parties.  The medical tourism agency will act as the go-between for any problems relating to your travel and treatment.  This can be a huge time-saver since malpractice laws and travel guarantees vary from country to country.   

Visa Services

Although most medical tourism destinations make it easy to enter the country (they want your money after all), it’s nice to have a tour operator handle visa and passport paperwork for you.  This is especially true if your treatment requires a longer stay.  In Thailand, for example, you only receive 30 days on a basic visitor visa.  If you plan on trekking around, recovering on the beach, and doing extra sightseeing, you might want a longer visa. 

Travel Arrangements

A qualified tour operator should be able to handle all of your accommodation and travel needs; from airline tickets to hotels to food. 

Airport Pick Up

If international travel is not your forté, airport pick-up is a service you’ll definitely want to research.  Having a friendly face to meet & greet you at the airport is a nice way to end a long flight and begin your “adventures” in a strange new land.   

Medical Arrangements

Your medical tourism company should be able to handle all of the pre- and post-hospital arrangements.  These include forwarding medical records, booking recovery rooms, advising you on treatment options, and vetting medical staff.  Be prepared to sign a power of attorney (POA) statement if your medical tourism company needs direct access to your medical records. 

Translation Services

If you speak English, the majority of medical tourism facilities will have doctors, nurses, and translators on staff to handle any questions or concerns you might have.  If you feel more comfortable in other languages, it never hurts to have a translator on hand. 

Escort Services